People love a good story. When told right, they engage our minds, inspire us and take us away from our daily routine. To be a great storyteller in the tech industry, the same rules apply. Whether it be talking about an innovative new product on stage or telling the story behind your business to a room full of people, making the most of speaking opportunities means speaking in a way that grabs – and holds – your audience’s attention.  

Needless to say, that can be trickier than it sounds. There are factors at play that some people don’t even consider – you’re not just talking on a stage. Here’s a handful of hints to consider next time you’re prepping for your next stint in the limelight…  

Avoid tech talk

You might not realise it, but, when you speak to your colleagues, you most likely use tech talk that only those in the industry understand. Using this terminology when speaking to a room full of potential investors and consumers, however, won’t fly. This is largely due to the fact they’re not necessarily interested in the technical workings behind a product or service, nor are they particularly keen to sit through a 20-minute advert. They’ve come to learn something new and improve their knowledge, so use your expertise and insights to address the issues they’re facing. Help them solve their problems.  

Avoiding tech-talk will also help to put you on the same thinking-level as your audience. They’ll look at you as someone who is on the same wavelength and understands their needs - and they’ll respect you a lot more for it.  

Be visual

You live and breathe the tech industry, so use your knowledge to your advantage. For example, if you work with immersive technology, such as virtual or augmented reality, showcase how it works to give your audience a feel for its capabilities. Not only will visualising your product help them understand it more (let’s face it, we all struggle to learn from longwinded reports and statistics), but it will paint a picture of your brand that will stick in their mind.    

Similarly, if you’re delivering a presentation, fill your slide-deck with relevant graphics, bright colours and effective calls-to-action. It sounds simple, but the likelihood of your audience dedicating 100% attention to a dull presentation is slim to nil. Plus, nowadays, a lot of audience members take photos of the stage to post on social media, so your presentation needs to look as eye-catching as possible.  

Ask questions

Involving your audience will hold their attention and stop them from drifting off halfway through. An effective way to do this is by asking them specific questions on the subject you’re talking about. Not only will this spark a conversation between you and the person answering, but it can kickstart a wider conversation once the event is over. It also adds a sense of unpredictability and excitement. 

There are plenty of other options to consider. For example, are you confident with adding an element of humour to your speech? You don’t have to be a comedian, but the odd joke can help to break the ice and give the audience a flavour of your personality. 

Another question to ask yourself is what do you want to get out of your speaking slot? Would you like members of the audience to invest in your company? Do you want them to buy something? Or, do you simply want to raise the profile of your business? Once you’re clear on that, tailoring a strong call-to-action for the end of your speech will get your audience to act and take the right steps in the right direction. 

But all of this is only the start of what you need to think about. The execution of your whole speech, from your stance and confidence to your narrative and tone of voice, will impact how your audience perceives you and, ultimately, how much you get out of a speaking opportunity. Done well, you can communicate the value of your work and position yourself as an innovative tech leader that people respect at the same time.

Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash